Deriving from the structural principle of a bicycle wheel, the roof is a tension membrane structure incorporating steel cables and tubular arches. The translucent shell, 75metres across and 135 metres long, transmits diffuse natural light with very little need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.

Cycling, of all sports, best embodies a model for a sustainable future, exploiting ultra-efficiency of design, cutting edge technology, innovative materials, and fine tuning of rider and machinery. These same issues inform the ethos of this design.